The Parti Québécois (PQ) dealt a hard blow to the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) by wresting the riding of Jean-Talon from it on Monday, during a by-election which followed the government’s retreat on the third highway link project. between Quebec and Lévis.
At the time these lines were written, PQ candidate Pascal Paradis was in the lead with 43.65% of the votes. His CAQ opponent, Marie-Anik Shoiry, followed far behind with 22.48% of the vote.
Prime Minister François Legault appeared to take note of the defeat in front of his troops. “Obviously I’m sad and we’re all sad, especially when we think of Marie-Anik […] You did not lose, it was the CAQ and I who lost,” he said, promising to “learn lessons” and “rebuild the bond of trust” between the people of Quebec and his political party.
This Monday’s by-election was the CAQ’s first test in front of the electorate since its retreat on the project for a third highway link between Quebec and Lévis. In May, the government announced that the tunnel project would now be dedicated to public transportation.
Located in Quebec, Jean-Talon brings together the boroughs of Sainte-Foy and Sillery, near the Quebec and Pierre-Laporte bridges.
A clear trend
As soon as the first ballot boxes were counted, the PQ took the lead and this lead was maintained. A few minutes before the unveiling of the first results, the concern was palpable in the room of the Sainte-Foy Ice Center where ministers, deputies and activists were gathered.
The media had not yet concluded that the PQ had won, but the conclusion was already clear among certain CAQ members. Among the PQ, too.
In his speech to activists a few moments after the results were made official, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon was enthusiastic about the strong return of his party to the political scene. “This evening, the Parti Québécois is back in Quebec. The Parti Québécois is back in Quebec,” he said. “We have demonstrated beyond any doubt that the Coalition Avenir Québec is no longer invincible. »
The PQ leader sees Monday’s result as “a pat on the back”, an “encouragement”, which concretizes the polls of recent months. “Voters chose to send a well-deserved warning to a government that thinks it can do anything,” he said.
With this victory, the PQ regains a foothold in the Quebec region from where it has been absent since 2018, after the departure of Agnès Maltais in Taschereau.
Mr. Paradis, a lawyer, is the first PQ MP elected in the riding of Jean-Talon, a liberal stronghold that the CAQ won in a by-election in 2019.
After finishing in second position in the 2022 general election, Québec solidaire was heading towards third place with 17.03% of the votes, less than last year’s 23.8%. Its candidate, Olivier Bolduc, was on his third attempt to get elected in Jean-Talon.
The Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) was still in fourth place, as it was a year ago, but its score, of 8.92%, was preparing to be lower than that obtained 12 months ago, which was 13 .5%.
The candidate of the Conservative Party of Quebec, Jesse Robitaille, also suffered a decline with 5.85% compared to 10% a year ago.
“No need to panic”
Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Affairs Éric Caire affirmed that we should not see the PQ’s breakthrough as a threat to the CAQ in the Quebec region.
“No, it would be panic and this evening there is no need to panic there are still 89 deputies from the Coalition Avenir Québec we are still forming the government with three years of mandate remaining,” he said .
According to Mr. Caire, this PQ victory is a source of questions for all its adversaries, including PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
“We will agree that Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon was not necessarily on the radar in recent months, now he will have to answer more precise questions, notably where his Year 1 budget is,” he said.
Mr. Caire affirmed that there is no appetite in Quebec for sovereignty.